Sorry to interrupt your shopping!🙋🏼‍♀️ I’m Nicole Fallert and maybe you do need that new grill.

Start Friday with these headlines:Are Trump’s Venezuelan boat strikes legal?Kevin Spacey faces three more sexual assault claims.Social media is reacting to Post Malone’s halftime performance.Black Friday rolls in as Americans feel purse pressure

Prices are running high. Americans’ confidence in the economy is at a near record low. President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to drive up costs on consumer products, while many Americans are still recouping financial strain caused by the government shutdown.

Shop ’til you drop: Shoppers are still expected to spend a near record amount for the holidays.  

Get in, we’re going shopping. In a recent survey, Americans said they plan to spend an average of $890.49 per person on holiday gifts, food and seasonal decor — despite wallet worries.The rich are spending: The top 10% of earners now account for roughly half of all consumer spending, experts say.How to do Black Friday when things are expensive: Follow USA TODAY’s live Black Friday deal tracker all day and use our shopping guide to pack your cart with promotions. Or, as our columnist suggests, go get a new library card (it’s free!).National Guard member remembered after DC attack

President Donald Trump said on Thursday National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died after being shot in an ambush by an Afghan national near the White House. The shooting drew claims from his administration of Biden-era immigration vetting failures and prompted a sweeping review of asylum cases.

Now, Trump has called for a review of the statuses of green card holders from “every country of concern.”More news to know now

What’s the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Employers rarely face charges for hiring undocumented workers

Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has launched a mass deportation campaign, surging federal resources across the country in operations that have overwhelmingly targeted immigrants believed to be in the country illegally – not their employers. A USA TODAY report shows U.S. employers are rarely held accountable for allegedly hiring undocumented workers.

Buying a Christmas tree today?

You may face a struggling supply. Christmas tree farmers around the country are dealing with drought, disease and damage from severe weather events – threats that are being exacerbated by climate change. But help is on the way: Researchers in North Carolina are working to produce genetically-superior Christmas trees that will not only withstand pests and disease but also grow faster, be perfectly shaped and drop fewer needles around your house.

Today’s talkersA football holiday weekend continues

The Cowboys one upped Patrick Mahomes. The Bengals upset the Ravens in Joe Burrow’s return. Now it’s time to shake off the tryptophan-induced lethargy with college football on this post-Thanksgiving Friday. One highlight: No. 4 Georgia will take on No. 19 Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in the aptly named “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” rivalry. Avoid your family … I mean … watch these games.

Photo of the day: Welcome to the holidays

Where else can you find Broadway stars, Elmo and “K-Pop Demon Hunters”?! The 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brought joy and music to Manhattan on Thursday morning, featuring festive performances and ringing in the holiday season with Santa.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.